bat in strike zone

[btdt]

I have tried for days to find the rule in Fed book that holding the bat over the plate doesn't constitute a strike if the pitch isn't in the strike zone.
Can anyone provide the rule number? I know I have seen it in writing.

[UmpJM]

btdt,

Fed Case Play 7.2.1B - last sentence.

JM

[btdt]

Thank you

[ozzy6900]

It is only a strike in softball (as of this year, I believe).

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

It is only a strike in softball (as of this year, I believe).

You are correct, Sir!

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by waltjp

You are correct, Sir!

I never realized how much I look like Ed McMahnn!

[swkansasref33]

so on a bunt its not a strike if their bat is out over the zone and the ball isnt a strike?

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by swkansasref33

so on a bunt its not a strike if their bat is out over the zone and the ball isnt a strike?

As long as no attempt is made to make contact with the ball, NO, it is not a strike.

[gfgartland]

Originally Posted by jicecone

As long as no attempt is made to make contact with the ball, NO, it is not a strike.

And of course as with many things in this great game, we get to decide what is an attempt. A player who holds his bat in the strike-zone and then doesn't move at all when the ball comes through the zone, is going to be lookin' at 0-1 when the next pitch comes. (Assuming the count was 0-0.)

[Tim C]

"And of course as with many things in this great game, we get to decide what is an attempt. A player who holds his bat in the strike-zone and then doesn't move at all when the ball comes through the zone, is going to be lookin' at 0-1 when the next pitch comes. (Assuming the count was 0-0.)"

So, I am assuming that you are calling the location of the pitch not simply having the bat over the plate, right?

You have confused me a little.

Regards,

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by gfgartland

And of course as with many things in this great game, we get to decide what is an attempt. A player who holds his bat in the strike-zone and then doesn't move at all when the ball comes through the zone, is going to be lookin' at 0-1 when the next pitch comes. (Assuming the count was 0-0.)

You have made 3 posts in the last 2 days and all 3 have been ridiculous.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by gfgartland

And of course as with many things in this great game, we get to decide what is an attempt. A player who holds his bat in the strike-zone and then doesn't move at all when the ball comes through the zone, is going to be lookin' at 0-1 when the next pitch comes. (Assuming the count was 0-0.)

So whenever the ball comes through the zone, you call a strike. Is that news?

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

You have made 3 posts in the last 2 days and all 3 have been ridiculous.

As with assistant coaches, maybe assistant umpires are a little goofy.

[gfgartland]

I am quoting out of order....

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

So whenever the ball comes through the zone, you call a strike. Is that news?

I apologize, I should have worded my response differently. I do call all pitches that come through the zone as strikes. I should have stated, "when the pitch comes in."

Originally Posted by Tim C

So, I am assuming that you are calling the location of the pitch not simply having the bat over the plate, right?

You have confused me a little.

Regards,

I am calling what I perceive to be an attempt at the pitch. I cannot see any other logical reason for the bat to be in the strike zone other than to be offering at the pitch. (As always I am willing to see other points of view on this.)

Originally Posted by mrm21711

You have made 3 posts in the last 2 days and all 3 have been ridiculous.

I can see how you might feel that this last post was ridiculous (per my responses above), but so is making a comment such as this.

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

As with assistant coaches, maybe assistant umpires are a little goofy.

We are a goofy breed, I will admit. We have to be able to talk umpire, coach, director, league and board member, and many times translate between all of them.

[Tim C]

"I am calling what I perceive to be an attempt at the pitch. I cannot see any other logical reason for the bat to be in the strike zone other than to be offering at the pitch. (As always I am willing to see other points of view on this.)"

Sadly this is what I thought you meant.

We can't make it anymore simple. In baseball simply holding the bat over the plate does not indicate an attempt. There has to be clear movement of the bat to attempt to hit the ball for it to be called a strike.

Location of the pitch can make it a strike -- simply holding the bat cannot.

Don't make up rules.